Pages

This Weeks Event's...

.

20 January 2011

A Conversation with Julia from Relique Vintage Jewellery ...

I am absolutely fascinated by Julia's re-purposing timepieces into jewellery. They are the same, but not, with cleverly designed abstractions inserted into a previous existence. Her cufflinks are stunning, something the hipster male would love to have on his cuff. How fortunate we are to have such pieces in our view.

Lets meet Julia.♥ Carol

Who is Relique Vintage Jewellery?

Relique is as the name suggests, jewellery made out of ‘relics’. I take beautiful, precious things and turn them into contemporary styled mini works of wearable art.

What’s your “handmade groove ?”

Getting stuck in my own space on the floor with ideas, notes, materials and whatever I can find all sprawled out around me. I somehow manage to create at my best when I am surrounded by everything at hand in a chaotic mess.

What’s on your bedside table right now? (hey, no tidying up or censoring)

What? There’s a table under there? I spy a Peppermint Magazine, my journal for getting ideas down in (for some reason they always come in the middle of the night), a lamp, my teapot for one, a couple of books I meant to read are under there somewhere too, this mornings newspaper and a few toy matchbox cars (courtesy of my 2 year old). Ok, I need to tidy up.

I am also a painter so I find huge inspiration for my jewellery in art magazines and books. I can’t get enough of NZ artists Ralph Hotere & Colin McCahon. Often I like to create in total silence but when I have music it’s usually of International flavour like Gotan Project.

What could you talk late into the night about with like minded people?

Anything that gets me laughing so hard I have tears in my eyes! I have quite a satirical sense of humour and love it when company can really get you laughing about the simplest things in life.

If you could go to three free workshops/creative events this year which ones would they be? What are they about?

Well I only have one - definitely The Night Market coming up in December which is host to an amazing collaboration of talented craftspeople selling their wares in a Christmassy atmosphere in Christchurch. (Note from Carol - how did it go Julia?)

How do you balance your creative life with your family, life commitments?

Good question! Don’t think I have the exact answer to that. It all seems to work in somehow but I have to be careful not to let the creation creep on over to my family time. Is there an off-switch somewhere?

What is your favourite creative screw-up?

Anything that ends up completely different to what I had in mind when I first started. Sometimes I go WAY off the beaten track!

Kitchen table or studio?

I have a studio but do a lot at the kitchen table. It’s warmer, brighter and has people around it.

Do you have a wish list? Can you tell us what’s on it?

Number 1 is to get to Italy one day and travel around the countryside wine and food tasting. I want a big vege garden instead of growing in pots and a number of art books and paintings that I can never afford.

Thanks for your awesome comments guys... and Carol, the Night Market was unfortunately cancelled due to extensive damage to the venue from the Sept 10 earthquake. But it will be back this year better than ever ... keep an eye on http://www.facebook.com/thenightmarket for details.

About Us..

New Zealand Handmade supports independent craftspeople designing and producing New Zealand made, quality goods.
We incorporate a diverse range of New Zealand designers, artisans, and craftspeople.
Our goal is to promote members handcrafted work both within New Zealand and Internationally and to create a vibrant creative community.